The Blogging Cabinet

Our friend Jim Benton a/k/a "Prup" came up with the idea of creating a cabinet filled by bloggers, a possibly endlessly amusing game.  I was taking a stab myself, although I found certain positions that I have no idea about.  Who would be the Secretary of Defense plucked from amongst our brethren -- who would not just capitulate to the Islamofascist?.  It's a tough one?  Ditto Secretary of Commerce -- wouldn't we just abolish the position along with commerce itself?  

Also, my list is way too laden with white dudes.  I know that there are more women bloggers and bloggers of color who would enhance any cabinet, but I'm having a hard time coming up with those who have a distinct policy area -- likely the fault of not reading widely enough.

Anyway, here are a few thoughts, but I definitely want to hear your line-ups.

1. Secretary of State - Josh Marshall - Why? Because I said so.
2. Secretary of Treasury - Atrios - Really is there any other choice
3. Sec. of Health and Human Services - Ezra Klein -- who else is going to read all those regs.
4. Attorney General - Scott Lemieux -- And no, not a fucking chance.
5. Secretary of Transportation - Matt Yglesias -- Supertrain! (Or maybe HUD)
6. Secretary of the Interior - Our own minstrel hussein boy -- He's got the rez cred and he can cook.
7. EPA Director - litbrit - She'd be all over those pollutin' muthafuckas
8. Secretary of Education - ari -- Maybe he'd have to arm wrestle Eric Rauchway for it.
9. Secretary of Labor - Who do you think? Nathan Newman, of course.
10. Chairman of the EEOC - Pam Spaulding - (Chairperson?)
11. Chairman of the Fed - Bill McBride of Calculated Risk
12. National Endowment of the Arts - Roy Edroso

And how about Amanda as Chief of Staff -- she'd be tough with the right people -- and Markos as the DNC Chair.

How about your suggestions for fantasy blogger cabinet? 

Comments

[Corvus9]

Defense - Spencer Ackerman
Treasury - You know, Robert Reich does post at TAPPED from time to time...
State - John Mearscheimer, just to fuck with people
Labor - Well, I can think of ONE person besides Nathan Newman...

[Sir Charles]

Ackerman is a good call. I think the tats alone would be intimidating.

I was thinking that Mearscheimer would be slated for a certain ambassadorship.

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

I nominated Sir C. for Secretary of Labor, of course. Secretary of Commerce has to be Neil Buchanan (of Dorf on Law and FindLaw, but only until a SCOTUS seat opens -- and I do actually expect him to be nominated 'for real' some day)

I have to throw in someone most of you don't read, Ed Darrell of "Millard Fillmore's Bathtub" for SecEducation. (He's actually had governmental exprience, a liberal who interned with Orrin Hatch of all people, but you'd have to read him a bit to see why he fits.) And i want Dave Neiwert as head of homeland security, because he understands better where the real threats come from than anyone else.

Most of your choices are good ones, and why i didn't think of Josh Marshall defeats me, he is the only choice. And Pam Spaulding is brilliant!!! And I like Edroso for a position I hadn't even considered.

[John]

Paul Krugman is a blogger now, too, in case Atrios or Bill McBride turns down an appointment. I wouldn't mind seeing Atrios running a department like Transportation since he is so fond of the SUPERTRAIN and likes living in an urban hellhole. For Agriculture, try Tom Philpott. For Energy, maybe Plutonium Page. I also like Kate Sheppard for one of the environmental posts, maybe the Council on Environmental Quality.

I wouldn't abolish Commerce since it has useful agencies like the Census Bureau and NOAA. I would just prefer to see it filled with someone friendly to consumers and labor.

Like Corvus9, I can think of another option for Labor.

Now who should be drug czar?

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

That's why I picked Buchanan -- who has doctorates in both economics and law and is a fierce galbreathian liberal. Perfect for Commerce unt il the SCOTUS seat opens up.

Drug Czar? Mark Kleiman -- even though I still think his knowledge is a little overrated, and wish he didn't chase the will-o-the-wisp of 'marijuana legalization without sales, make everybody grow their own or join non-profit collectives.' Legalize it already!

[Sir Charles]

Could put Atrios at Transportation and Yglesias at HUD.

I have no clue about Agriculture -- maybe Deborah's husband Robert -- he's setting up the coolest hyroponic, organic farm you could imagine.

Drug Czar -- I don't suppose Keith Richards has a blog?

[Corvus9]

Agreed on Kleiman as Drug Czar. Whatever differences I may have with him, he's still the best mix of proficiency and reasonableness.

Also yes on Neiwert at HLS.

The reasoning behind Marshall at State escapes me.

I am coming up blank on Energy.

Is there a position suited for Greenwald? Or is he too pure for government service?

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

I like a bullet train lover for Trans, but even more importantly, he should be someone in love with and willing to work hard for Public Transport. That's what we need more of.

I'd like to suggest someone for a non-existent position, but if there were a Public Advocate Position Nationally like we have in NYC or some form of Ombudsman or Inspector General, I'd nominate Dave Weigel. And I'm gpoing to shock everyone and nominate one of our pet hates fpor the position that would bring out his strengths and lessen his annoying recent eccentricities. I'd make Glenn Greenwald Solicitor General. I'd also nominate Chris Geidner ("Law Dork") for a high position in the Justice Department.

And while we are in that Department, Nan Hunter should get a position as well. (Hmmm, wonder where Chai would be?)

Oh, and one obvious choice is Orac (I don't mention his name, though it is an open secret) for Surgeon general. As both a surgical and academic oncologist, he has the credentials, and his influence in keeping the government from funding quackery, and warning agauinst it would make the position more relevant than it has been in years.

One last mention for this post. Some place should be found for Ed Brayton, despite his weird politics -- he's a true left-wing libertarian who boasts of having never voted for a major party candidate, but his positions are almost always liberal and he rejects the econmic libertarianism of the "Large L" types. (He's also a totally straight man who is fiercely pro-gay, inspired by a Fundamentalist Aunt who refused to abandon his Uncle when she discovered he was actually gay and had AIDS, on the grounds that christianity means Charity first.) He is a fierce Civil Libertarian as well -- and one that is always fair to opinions he despises -- and was involved with defense preparation in the Dover case. There has to be a place for him.

[Corvus9]

A position for Greennwald after all! He would also be good at OLC. He might even be a decent choice for the Supreme Court (kinda stretching the rules of the game here) although I am a little unsure of his economic credentials, there might be a lack of documentation that would make his confirmation difficult.

And what about Steve Benen? OMB?

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

I was thinking Steve Benen needed to keep doing just what he's doing, but if any position suited him, it would be head of Congressional Liason.

[Tom Fitz]

Ta-Nehisi Coates at education. Passion for reading goes a long way in my book (nyuk).

[MR Bill]

Dr. Elizabeth Warren for Chair of the Federal Reserve.

I want to be in charge of the Forest Service, a branch of the AG Dept. that has been placed firmly in the pocket of the timber/paper industry in the last administration: it need to be returned to it's public land functions (and deprivatize the recreational functions.)
Energy? Al Gore. We need a real leader with vision to get the Green Energy initiative off the ground, as an environmental/industrial/cultural policy.

[litbrit]

Prup, what a brilliant idea!

And Sir C, I love your picks and totally accept the position of EPA director (since there's no Head of Fashion Police position...yet).

If I can ever get Robert to blog, he'd be a great Ag. secretary. He'd totally transform the milieu, and we'd have subsidies for growers of non-GMO fruits and veggies. Our friend Amy is very close pals with Alice Waters, who has visions of (and plans for) an America wherein schools provide a fresh, healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack to every single child in America, as part of a nationwide campaign to feed kids well, teach them good eating habits early on, and turn around the growing obesity crisis.

Commerce? My own Dad, a capitalist with a heart who comes from the energy sector (LPG shipping) and is on excellent terms with many of the British, Scandinavian, and American players in that field, as it were (he's referred to the gossipy, closed-shop nature of the oil biz as a "knitting circle"). I must get him to start blogging, too--he's got some awesome stories, as you'd imagine.

And as his eldest daughter, I could exert some serious influence on the whole shebang and turn around our current soft-assed environmental policies in a hurry.

MR Bill, I LOVE your suggestion of Dr. Warren for head of the Fed. She's someone I'd be genuinely tongue-tied around, she's so brilliant.

Tom, Ta-Nehisi's a great pick too.

And of course, Roy, our hero, is a must for NEA head and yes, Glenzilla for the Supreme Court. Good God, we need some balancing leftyness there.

This is fun.

[litbrit]

Also, too, I will now and forever more be referring to the BP and Trans Ocean cost-cutting scumbags as "pollutin' mothafuckas".

My very proper Daddy will be tickled pink, ha!

[beckya57]

Dean Baker would be another good pick for Treasury. And don't forget Fed Reserve chair (not strictly a cabinet position, but very important): Baker, Atrios or Krugman.

Charles certainly makes sense at Labor (or the NLRB), but could also be AG. Lemieux would be great there too. I think Greenwald's more useful right where he is.

Steve Benen should be Press Secretary: a big part of his blog is pointing out GOP talking points idiocies.

Nobody's mentioned Kevin Drum! He could be in something techy, given his background, but I'm not sure what; Education or Commerce, perhaps? Otherwise, we'd need to create the new Cabinet position of Secretary of Felines.

Tbogg: Court Jester!

[Corvus9]

Ooh, good call on Benen, beckya.

[big bad wolf]

being all negative the way i tend to be, i object to lemiux. i almost always agree with him, but his writing shows a righteousness and rigidity that would make for a bad AG. (i know we like righteousness and, let's call them firm stances, when they are on our side, but being a humanist and a skeptic, i am wary of them on either side).

so if lemiux is too rigid for me, i'd say greenwald needs to stay right where he is. i cannot even see him being a good SG; i see no suppleness in his thoughts, and the issues that come before the court require suppleness, not just surety, as the real world often does

[Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle]

Sir C.:
What about Barry Ritholtz as TreasSec? Otherwise I can't quibble. That's not saying I have a problem with Atrios. I don't. I just think he'd do just as well as Fed Chief. I like the other suggestions of Bill(of Calculated Risk fame), and Spencer Ackerman. Good stuff!!

[Sir Charles]

Calvin,

I will confess I don't know Barry Ritholtz. You know there are so many worthwhile bloggers and it's hard to keep up with all of them.

Becky,

I like Dean Baker too -- we can put him on the council of Economic Advisors.

bbw,

Lemieux has been a bit of a jerk about Kagan, but I've generally liked his stuff.

My reservations about Greenwald remain.

And Corvus,

My press secretary is the Rude Pundit. We're going to change the game here in DC.

Drum is a sharp and reasonable fellow -- as is Bennen. there should be a place for both of them.

[Corvus9]

Yeah, what has been the deal with LGMs vendetta against Kagan?

[beckya57]

I've been wondering about the LGM-Kagan thing too. It's out of character for Lemieux; in my experience, the one on that blog who likes to be provocative and sometimes inflammatory is Paul Campos. It's weird.

[MR Bill]

Only real addition for the list is Juan Cole, UnderSec. for The Middle East

[Sir Charles]

MR Bill,

I was thinking about Juan Cole too -- maybe he and Mearscheimer could work together. Heads will explode.

[MR Bill]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_05/024033.php>Here is an ironic note to this fun game: 240+ subcabinet positions for the Administration remain unfilled, and Mitch McConnell is going to keep it that way ('cause those nasty Dems hurt his widdle feelings over the recess appointment of Craig Beckler to the Nat'. Labor Relations Board.)

[litbrit]

My press secretary is the Rude Pundit. We're going to change the game here in DC.

OH YES.

Yes, yes, yes. Love that one, C. Heads won't just explode--they'll be instantly vaporized. Ha!

Agree on Mr. Cole.

Here's a quick how-to-embed-a-hyperlink lesson. Copy it, paste it, and wherever I've got [ change it to < and wherever I've got ] change it to >. And use PREVIEW!

[a href="http://awesomesite.com"]the words you want to be hyperlinked to awesomesite[/a]

It will look like this: the words you want to be hyperlinked to awesomesite.

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

We have, afaik, the first example of a blogger running for office based on his blog alone. (Some legislators have started blogs, of course, and some candidates have other major achievements alomg with a blog.

But the right-wing teapartier John Thul -- who has a blog called "Foreign and Domestic" -- is the endorsed Republican Candidate for a Minnesota State House seat -- running against marriage equality and for Forced Pregnancy. Admittedly it's a long-shot and he was only picked after the previously endorsed candidate withdrew at the last minute. Still, it's interesting.

Any previous examples?

[Emma]

Surely you have to find something for Michael Berube? And I could put pressure on the Australian Govt to appoint John Quiggin ambassador to Washington. I think Sir Charles would be good as Secretary for Labor (or similar). Ta-Nehisi Coates would have to be there somewhere.

But you know what's wrong with this idea? What would be left to read on the intertubes? Because all the good ones would have to shut up.

[Sir Charles]

Berube and Ta-Nehisi Coates are both very smart guys. I like the idea of them and people like Kevin Drum, Neil, Jessica Valenti, and Digby being general domestic policy types around the White House. People with good minds, good ideas, and slightly different ways of looking at the world giving general advice.

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

Emma: Don't be silly. there are an incredible number of great people out there that you (or I) haven't come across. I chose people for my list based on merit, but I also deliberately listed bloggers that I knew most of you 'didn't know but should.' (Orac, Ed Darrell, Neil Buchanan, Nan Hunter, even Ed Brayton)

And if you get interested in local/state politics, there are many people ou there doing incredible stuff -- particularly 'blue bloggers from red states' like Southern Beale, MSWallack, or a whole group of Idaho bloggers. (And don't forget the Alaskans like Jeanne Devon ("AKMuckraker" from Mudflats), Shannyn Moore, Celtic Diva, and Andrew Halcro who were the first to show us 'down below' exactly how awful the Baroness Munchhausen really was).

And then there is the unclassifiable, wonderful Morialekafa.

(Btw, mhb, Ed Darrell has added a co-blogger named Dan Valentine. Don't know about him, haven't checked back to where he started, but he seems to be a musician and song writer who it would be very interesting tpo see you chat with.)

[Joe]

Corvus, Lemieux objects to Kagan, I think, because Lemieux resents that Kagan got the nod for not taking controversial stands. Kagan, for the most part, kept out of the big constitutional debates of the Bush era (unlike Harold Koh, Goodwin Liu, etc). Kagan has also kept out of the regulatory debates of the 1990's-2000's (unlike Cass Sunstein, Brooksly Born, Elizabeth Warren).

Rather, Kagan cultivated her standing with the Ivy League elite in Cambridge and Washington(which is why people like Marty Peretz support her so wholeheartedly). I think Lemieux would prefer that brilliant and prestigious lawyers (like Kagan) had shown some commensurate courage and principle when the chips were down. Book smarts alone hasn't traditionally been the sole criteria to earning a Supreme Court spot for liberal (and conservative activists). Rather, most activists usually like to see some willingness to sacrifice for the cause.

Kagan has never made any such sacrifices so it makes sense Lemieux wouldn't support her wholeheartedly the way someone like Peretz would.

[Prup (aka Jim Benton)]

Ed Brayton linked to this piece with some interesting comments, but the best one was from 'democommie':

I do not want to be in the President's Cabinet, not even his "Kitchen Cabinet". Just let me into the liquor cabinet.